Student Acts Quickly After School Throws Away 8-Year-Old Boy’s Lunch

By: Mackenzie Wright | December 11, 2016

One eight-year-old boy was saddened when he witnessed a friend being refused a hot lunch in his Michigan elementary school. The child didn't have enough money on his lunch account to pay for his food. The little boy decided he had to do something about it, and he's launched a massive campaign.

Cayden Taipalus and his mom launched "Pay It Forward: No Kid Goes Hungry" to raise money to make sure students get their hot meal. Mom Amber Peters said that they've raised nearly $7,000 in just two weeks. They're buying lunch for thousands of students.

"I am so very proud of my son," said Peters told ABC News. "He is only 8 years old and to grasp the concept around this is just amazing in my eyes. He has a heart of gold."

His plan to buy lunch for needy kids started with recycling cans and bottles. When Cayden caught the attention of locals, people offered to help. They suggested he start a Facebook campaign, and from there the efforts really took off. People from around the world have donated to Cayden's cause.

"We went from just paying off his elementary school to paying off the entire Livingston County," said Peters.

Cayden has become known as the 'boy with the heart of gold,' and his mother couldn't agree more.